Questionnaire France

I.10 Can the public prosecutor be involved in the police investigation process from the moment it is started up?

Yes: sect. 19 CCP states that judicial police officers are required to notify the district prosecutor forthwith of the felonies, misdemeanours and petty offences of which they have knowledge. On the basis of this information, the district prosecutor institutes or causes to be taken any step necessary for the discovery and prosecution of violations of criminal law. To this end, he directs the activity of the judicial police officers and agents within the area of jurisdiction of his court (sect. 41 CCP).